FAYETTEVILLE - Former U.S. Attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate, Conner Eldridge today announced that he will be participating in the first U.S. Senate debate of the 2016 election year this Friday, September 16, at 3:30 p.m. on the University of Arkansas's Fayetteville Campus. Democrat Conner Eldridge and Libertarian Frank Gilbert agreed to debate, and Senator Boozman has been invited; journalist Doug Thompson will moderate. The debate will take place inside the Student Union in the Union Theater, Room 425 at 3:30 p.m.
"It's so important for voters to hear directly from their candidates on the issues that matter to them -- especially in an election year this critical," said Eldridge. "What our nation and government need right now is more engagement with the people, not less. I'm excited to give Arkansans a chance to see Mr. Gilbert and me, hear where we stand on a number of issues, and understand how we'd each do the job of a U.S. Senator. Sen. Boozman has ignored our repeated calls to debate, as well as invitations to debate from multiple other groups, but just because he doesn't want to face the Arkansas voters, doesn't mean I'm going to back down."
Throughout the campaign, Eldridge has repeatedly challenged his opponent to debates around the state, even showing up in the Senator's hometown in late July with two podiums at the ready. Sen. Boozman was nowhere to be found. Eldridge said the voters are tired of waiting.
"Sen. Boozman's decision not to participate in debates shows exactly the stark contrast between his 15-year career in Washington and how I will do the job as a U.S. Senator once elected," said Eldridge. "Sen. Boozman has been an absent and disengaged Senator, traveling to 53 other countries a total of 129 times while only passing 4 bills, all renaming post offices. After inviting him to debate numerous times, the Arkansas people are tired of waiting. I'm excited for the opportunity to debate with Frank Gilbert and I know Arkansans are eager to hear our different visions for Arkansas and the U.S. Senate."